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It now appears that at least some children who suffer from the autism spectrum have a deficient mirror neuron system, and this would explain their inability to infer the behaviors and thoughts of others and to easily master articulate speech (Ramachandran, 2006) Most complex behaviors are combined sequences of shorter actions —just as short words combine into longer words, and words combine sequentially into sentences. A relatively small number of memorized units can thus process a very complex language. Because of this, young children master spoken language with less explicit instruction than might otherwise be expected. Knowing What To Say Knowing how to speak is different than knowing what to say. Do we think in words, or is speech simply the verbal representation of non-verbal thought? Next month's column will explore this fascinating question.
Robert Sylwester is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Oregon. He focuses on the educational implications of new developments in science and technology and has written several books and over 150 journal articles. His most recent books are The Adolescent Brain: Reaching for Autonomy (2007, Corwin Press), How to explain a brain: An educator's handbook of brain terms and cognitive processes (2004, Corwin Press),and A biological brain in a cultural classroom: Enhancing cognitive and social development through collaborative classroom management(2003, Corwin Press. second edition). The Education Press Association of America gave him three Distinguished Achievement Awards for his published syntheses of cognitive science research. He has made over 1400 conference and in-service presentations on educationally significant developments in brain/stress theory and research. What did you think of this article? Send us your comments! References: Ramachandran, V. S, and Oberman, L. M (November 2006) "Broken Mirrors: A Theory of Autism" Scientific American. pages 63-69. Rizzoletti, G., Fogassi, L., and Gallese, V. (November 2006) "Mirrors in the Mind" Scientific American. pages 54-62. Slack, G. (November 5, 2007) "I Feel Your Pain: New Proof of Mirror Neurons Explains Why We Experience the Grief and Joy of Others, and Maybe Why Humans Are Altruistic. But Don’t Call Us Ghandi Yet." Salon.com Sylwester, R. (February 2006) "Mirror Neuron Update". Brain Connection. www.brainconnection.com
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